MARCH 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR MARCH 2011 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR parlor showcase parlor showcase

by Bart Mendoza n there was really nothing like that around, it n ed naming them by number, even though by He considers that audiences in Europe are e e s s r ention Billy Watson to blues afi - r e was like ‘Bruce Springsteen at the Circuit’; it e the time they got to their fourth record, it more receptive to the blues. “Most of them d d The MANY fAceS Of BILLY WATSON n cionados and you’ll get an instant was Asbury Park. But here the music scene n A A wasn’t called Led Zeppelin 4 , but people just are,” he said. “They’re at least civil,” he joked.

s s i smile. Best known for his virtuoso was a little diverse, I thought.” i n n called it that. I just get a kick out of it.” “Here, they’ve just seen it all, they’re done. n n e harmonica playing, he’s also a A show by the Paladins convinced him e The next disc will be called appropriately They’re just to cool. The cell phone phenome - D D

: genuinely nice man with a pas - : o that music was the way to go. “And then I o t BBIILLLLYY WWAATTSSOONN t enough, Secret 8 and is already in the non [for example], that just blows my mind, o o h sion for music that is contagious. He makes went and saw the Paladins; that took it to h process of recording, with an eye toward a the complete rudeness of the people here. It’s P M P music because he loves it, simple as that. another level. I was listening to music at that LLoovvee WWhhaatt YYoouu DDoo late 2011 release. “I don’t like to take a lot of sad.” He’s released seven albums to date, but even time and pop music was just terrible. As soon time and spend a lot of money making these He notes that there has been a slight if you don’t own one of those, chances are, if as I saw Dave Gonzalez come out and that records,” Watson said. “I know it sounds self- resurgence in blues based music in recent you’re a blues fan, you’ve heard his music. In room was full of people swing dancing and deprecating, but I didn’t feel that I was good years. “People are tired of the pop scene, concert he has been heard performing having a good time, that was it. I was enough to be putting out records and spend - tired of being told what’s cool; they want to alongside such luminaries as Robin Henkel, hooked.” Watson soon met other key players ing thousands of dollars, because I wasn’t hear real musicians playing real instru - the Mississippi Mudsharks, 2000 lbs. of such as James Harmon. “Eventually I got to going to make the money back. I was just ments,” he said. He cites Karl Cabbage, Anna Blues, the Blues Pharaohs, the Boogiemen, hang out with these guys; they were my going to have them under my bed and it Troy, and the Red Fox Tails among his the Joint Chiefs, and Blue Largo, to name a mentors.” might take two years to sell them, maybe favorite young musicians. few. Meanwhile, he can be found on many By 1992 he had begun his career as a eight years [laughs]. So I just like to do these If it seems like Watson is enthusiastic artists’ recordings, including Jack Costanzo, musician. “The music and art [crossed over],” fast; I’m not really picky. If you listen to about educating future generations of musi - Anna Troy, Billy Bacon and the Forbidden he said. “We were having art shows and we some of them, someone with a trained ear cians about the blues. He said, “You’re right. I Pigs, and Todd Steadman and the Fat Tones. would hand out percussion instruments. He might think ‘oh that sounds terrible,’ but don’t think people care about history any - He also takes part in Thomas Yearsley’s soon ran an open mic session in Carlsbad. “I they’re pretty easy going.” That said, Lucky more and they don’t learn from it. Society is Exotiki group, performing Polynesian- learned a lot about people and musicians Seven is the complete opposite of that sort of riddled with that. For example, Carlsbad has Hawaiian tunes on the bongos. and what to deal with. There were some real production. a B17 [plane] that lands there every year. And The San Diego Troubadour was fortunate tough times there. Musicians and artists are “It was like my Apocalypse Now sort of the kids get forced to go to it in a Boys Scout enough to sit down for a conversation with difficult some times [laughs]. There’s egos record; it cost a lot of money, it took a lot of troop or something for a field trip. The kids Watson last month, at Berkley Sound studios. and everyone’s sensitive. I’m not saying I’m time. I had all these guys – Junior Watson, go in it and there’s an old guy there who was What’s most evident is Watson’s love of mak - excluded from that, I fall right into that cat - James Harman in the control room, Thomas a belly gunner standing there and he could ing music and also his wicked sense of egory, but you kind of get seasoned at it. You Yearsley’s whole studio, Nathan James, tell them all about about 18 or 20 missions he n humor. Below are excerpts from that inter - want to do it with love and keep it cool. It all e s Johnny Vaiu. I had this big cast. By the end went on before he was shot down and nearly r view; further excerpts can be seen and heard e comes back to just surrounding yourself with d of it, I was like, that took a lot of time and killed. [Meanwhile] the kids are just running n

on the San Diego Troubadour ’s home page: A people that want to do that.” money! I was a Nathan James’ house and he around the thing like it’s a big jungle gym. s i sandiegotroubadour.com. Though Watson can be found playing n

n was getting ready to go out on tour; he had a They don’t care. They don’t even know what e

Ironically, though Watson is now consid - under all sorts of situations from solo to side - D whole band there, a trio. They were there that plane did. That’s just an example. [But] : o ered a top musician, all early indications man, he prefers fronting his own band, Billy t

o and we started recording. We recorded a take that and magnify it and it goes across h were that he would spend his time doing Watson and the International Silver String P whole record in one sitting, one take to Pro the board. You could punch that in on poli - something else. Born in New York, Watson is Submarine Band. “I actually stole that from Tools and Nathan’s like, ‘Yeah I can mix that tics, the way we fight wars, the way we treat a native of Jersey City, graduating from the an episode of the Little Rascals ,” he revealed. later today.” So I thought let’s just make a our society.” New York School of Visual Arts with a The tale involves the youngsters in the series record! I wanted to do another ‘fasty,’ get it Watson is more than happy with his life Bachelors degree. Post-college he was soon getting a gig and the trials and comedic out of my system, and start something new as a musician, though he notes that support drawn to California for the surfing, arriving mayhem that ensue. “What I dig about it [laughs].” for the arts in a city the size of San Diego in 1988. now is that it closely parallels all the bull should be more prevalent among the public. “I just got tired of the East Coast,” he said. crap that musicians go through. Back then “There’s a lot of talent in San Diego,” he “I had a friend that lived in La Jolla; he was a and even today.” “I wanted to make it opined. “But, you know? With the millions of civil engineer with the Navy. So, I had a It’s been joked that Watson’s band has a people that live here, they should be sup - place to live for a month or two to get estab - cast of thousands and while that is a slight so funny that even the porting art and music much better. I always lished. At first, I thought I would come out exaggeration, you never know who might be kid around and like to say that if you don’t here for a vacation but I just stayed. “ in his band on any given night. His website support art and music in your neighborhood, He initially made his name locally as an lists 20 musicians that join in from guitarist most uptight guy would it won’t be long before it looks like Temecula artist, exhibiting his paintings in local cof - Buzz Campbell (Sha Na Na, Hot Rod Lincoln) [laughs].” feehouses. While he had success selling his to bassist Greg Willis (Iron Butterfly, Candye crack a smile. Because While Watson plans to continue making work (over 300 pieces), the grind of moving Kane). “The reason I have a bunch of differ - music, he’s realistic about the possibilities his work from space to space eventually saw ent guys is because I don’t want them get it’s fun, I like to get out there. “If you’re going to be a full-time his interests going elsewhere. “I would just tired of me,” Watson joked. “I’ve been in musician, you’re rarely going to get to the Watson in the studio at Berkley Sound move this crazy show around,” he said. “I did bands and I feel that blues music’s already people laughing.” point where you are living high on the hog that for two years. And some of the pieces got a form to it, so you really don’t need to or comfortable. You’re not ever going to be n n n e a got vandalized, some of it got stolen. It just a rehearse it. If you hire guys that know how s that way unless you have a sponsor or some - r m m e y got to the point where I was like ‘you’re not y to play it, really know how to play it, you d N N —Billy Watson body to help you,” he said. Where does he see n

t t A g really doing this right’. You either have to g can have a different band every night and

s himself in ten years? “Probably living in n n i e e take it seriously and go through galleries and n B that’s what I’ve done,” he explained. “The B n

another trailer,” he laughed. “Maybe some - : : e o o t t get a better business sense or just do it for D

reason is that it’s improvised music, similar o o In addition to his own projects, Watson is thing double wide.” Reflecting on the labor- : h h o fun. And I chose the ‘for fun’ part.” t P P

to jazz. And jazz kind of came from blues o also part of the Blues in Schools programs, of-love aspect of the arts, Watson is clear. h

While occasionally he still does art, music music. It sounds better when it’s improvised, P sponsored by Blues Lovers United of San “You can’t be materialistic and be a musician would be his new focus. The harmonica flying by the seat of your pants; it’s fresher Diego. He enjoys the interaction with young or an artist. If it happens and you do make it entered his life at age 15. “I had a cousin I and the guys don’t get bored.” The latter is potential music fans, but admits it can be to a point, it would be like winning the lot - looked up to,” Watson recalled. “[He] was a important to Watson. “When you’re in a frustrating work. “Certain schools take it tery.” recovering alcoholic and drug addict. He band you start getting tired of each other more seriously than others and there is no While he occasionally misses the East gave me a harmonica and he also turned me and it becomes a drag, then it becomes like funding. It’s like a broken record, ‘there’s no Coast, Watson is more than happy with his on to a 1950s harmonica player named Sonny you’re in a day job. You get all jaded, you Watson with Will Edwards & Bart Mendoza funding’,” he mused. Working with young - life in San Diego. “There’s nothing like the Boy Williamson II. I started listening to that start fighting, the bass player gets married, Blues buddies: Robin Henkel, Anna Troy, Watson, Watson with Candye Kane sters also has its challenges. “You can’t get light on the West Coast and in Southern guy a lot and that kind of got me into listen - Nathan James, Ben Hernandez has a couple of kids, then the wife gets mad And I came up to them and I was playing. I too deep with it, because as soon as you start California when that sun’s going down over ing to the right kind of blues for a harmoni - he’s out late at night. I don’t have time for wanted to be. I wanted to do stuff that made was kind of put off by them, I was doing all talking, if you start getting windy, they start the kelp beds off Swami’s and that whole ca player, in terms of traditional blues.” Part clown maniacs. You’d think it’d be great to that and I don’t think anyone has time for people [react]. If they’re just sitting there this funny stuff. And a lady comes up and going to sleep or horsing around; they’re just area when you drive down the coast high - of the attraction was that no one else he hire a bunch of freaks, but you’ve got to hire me. I’m a moody guy, I don’t want them to with a stink face, I wanted to make it so says, “They’re deaf.” In another instance, “this kids you know?” Similarly, Watson also way,” Watson reflected. “There’s nothing like knew played harmonica. “No one was guys that know what to do.” deal with that, I don’t want them to be mar - funny that even the most uptight guy would lady comes, trying to dance and act all sexy works with Candy Kane on her United by it in the world.” He notes his world travels attracted to them. I would go to school, but Humor is a big part of Watson’s appeal. ried to me. Go have a family, not a band crack a smile. Because it’s fun, I like to get and I’m trying to play. [She says] “give me Music Tour. “We go and play with special have confirmed his love of the area. “When I everyone played guitar, drums, even bass. Often described as “madcap,” he has been [laughs].” Using tour musicians between road people laughing.” your hand” and I go to shake it and I started needs kids and we get them on stage. It’s a go out of town for long periods of time, it’s The only bummer was no one played har - known to wear a fez or a Tor Johnson mask, trips has been the perfect solution. With decades of stage experience, he has moving it back and forth and then she got long process, but it started in Holland. In our kind of crazy [but] even though you’re in monica music,” he laughed. “The only har - but live it’s anything goes to win an audi - “You’ve got to hire the guys that know a myriad of strange stage tales. “I was play - mad and grabbed me by the hair and started music, we’re trying to teach them about Europe and everyone’s treating you great, monica you heard was, ‘oh, you can play this ence over. “The influences come from when I how to back you up and support you,” he ing the other night. I like to go out to the pulling me,” he laughed at the memory. where it came from, so that they can look at you miss the conveniences of the United Neil Young song,’ and it was like two seconds was kid. I would watch the Marx Brothers remarked. “There’s a million great guys out audience and I try to get the tip can going, Watson’s first recording was a series of it themselves and then come up with their States,” Watson commented. “[As] a joke I and that was it; you’re done. Now what,” he and Laurel and Hardy. The most powerful there, thousands of guys I could call, but if because that’s the only way we get paid now. demos with the Bluescasters, with his first own thing.” Watson will be heading to used to say to the guys, “don’t worry, we’ll be laughed. moments in a lot of those movies were the the guy comes on the gig and he buries me I can’t rely on the clubs, I can’t rely on CD solo album released in 1998. His most recent France with Candye Kane for a six-week tour stuck in the 805/5 merge in no time,” he It was show by Little Charlie and the musical parts and they were often comedic. If while I’m trying to talk to people, and he’s sales. I just do this little show. I push the tip album is 2009’s Lucky Seven , not coinciden - that opens on May 29. laughed. Nightcats at the Belly Up Tavern that started you watch Chicolini Marx play the piano, it over there cracking jokes and getting drunk, can out and play harmonica all by myself tally his seventh disc as he includes the num - Although he enjoys touring as a sideman, Watson thinking about becoming a musician, doesn’t get better than that. When I saw that I can’t hire that guy. You’ve got to weed and I go out in the audience and the band’s ber of issue with each album title, Numero he’s not enthusiastic about touring under his See Billy Watson live – March 3, 7pm, with Robin though not strictly on musical terms. “I love it had a big influence on me.” He observes them out. You’ve got to find the guys who waiting for me to come back in. People start Cinco! . “What influenced me to do that? Led own name. “It’s not really a touring type Henkel, at the Cellar, 1256 Avenida Del Mar, San comedy and Rick Estrin was like Groucho that in the films “the people in background are cool, gentlemanly, and professional. Even tipping. As they throw the things in there, I Zeppelin,” he laughed. He picks the first thing. Driving around in a van in the United Clemente; and on March 11, 8pm, with his Marx, playing harmonica and fronting the were always laughing. And I don’t think you though we’re having a good time and I’m play something funny for each person; I try album as his favorite. “That was the album States to come home with a couple of hun - International Silver String Submarine Band, at band. I’d never seen that before; I was too had to tell them to laugh, they didn’t have to Listen to a live podcast with Billy clowning around, putting funny masks on, I to match it with the body type. On one occa - that was so cool to me; then they started get - dred dollars is not something I really look Book Works/Pannikin, Flower Hill in Del Mar. young, I didn’t realize it until I moved out hold up a sign. You can see them naturally need a band that can hang and support me sion, I went up to these people and their ting weirder and weirder, but every album forward to.” That said, a European tour is For more information please visit: www.billywat - Watson as well as a video clip: here. The Belly Up Tavern was a place that laughing and reacting to those guys, because even though it looks like we’re a bunch of backs were facing me the whole entire time. was number two, number three. People start - possible with offers from Finland and Spain. son.com. www.sandiegotroubadour.com had that kind of music. On the East Coast they were really funny. And that’s how I 8 www.facebook.com/sandiegotroubadour www.sandiegotroubadour.com 9